Pedri talks Araujo, Olmo, Pau Victor, best position, contract renewal ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona | OneFootball

As Barcelona get set to take on Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final tomorrow in Saudi Arabia, midfield superstar Pedri spoke to the media in the pre-match press conference today.

The 22-year-old has been brilliant this season under Hansi Flick for Barcelona and will have a key role if the Catalans are to secure their first trophy under the German tactician tomorrow.

Coming into the game, though, the Blaugrana have had to deal with a lot of distractions such as the registration problems with Dani Olmo and Pau Victor and now the speculations about Ronald Araujo’s future.

However, Pedri insisted that the atmosphere in the dressing room was upbeat ahead of the final against Real Madrid.

“I see the dressing room well, motivated, eager to play in a final. Playing for a title and against Madrid motivates everyone. It’s one of those games that you want to play since you were a kid,” he said.

On being asked if Barça would be affected in case there were more Real Madrid supporters in the stadium tomorrow, Pedri replied:

“I don’t care what’s going on outside. In the semi-finals, they supported us a lot and I welcome that, but we have to focus more on the game than on what’s going on outside.”

As mentioned earlier, Pedri has been playing brilliantly this season and is back to his best levels. When asked if he feels that this is the best he has played in his career, he said:

“It’s true that I haven’t had this consistency for a long time. They always ask me about injuries, it seems like they’re waiting for something to happen, but I’m very happy to enjoy football, there’s a lot of work behind it.”

Pedri has been top-notch this season. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Pedri was also asked about the situation of Araujo, who is being linked with an exit after falling behind Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez in the pecking order.

Without directly addressing the speculations, the midfielder insisted that competition for places is the best for the team.

“It’s clear that competitiveness is the best thing for the team, it raises the level of the squad. It’s difficult for the players but it’s the best thing for the team. We have two players per position who can play perfectly,” said the Spanish international.

Pedri has been deployed in a deeper role this season by manager Hansi Flick although there have been times when he has operated as a No. 10. When asked about what he feels is the best position for him, the Spaniard said:

“On the pitch. In one it is more to decide on the last pass, now I am very comfortable in the position of 8, I have a lot of contact with the ball and I enjoy having possession.”

Talking about his good moment and form this season, Pedri further added: “Apart from the continuity, my motivation is every day. I’m comfortable with this football, with pressure up top, having the ball and well, when you have to play fast, you do it too.”

On the subject of his contract renewal, which is said to be well on track, the former Las Palmas sensation confirmed:

“What my agents and the club tell me is that everything is going well. It’s not a good time to talk about renewals the day before a final. I’m more focused on the final than on my renewal.”

Expressing his joy at the resolution of the registration saga involving Olmo and Pau Victor, Pedri confessed:

“For us it’s great news: the position they were in, and coming here was very complicated. I was trying to console Dani, who is close to me. And I’m sure they are going to contribute a lot.”

Pedri happy to have Olmo back. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Reacting to the negative comments being made by clubs criticising the CSD for granting the precautionary measure to register the Barcelona duo, he added:

“‘Every club and every person has their own opinion, I’m happy to have them here. I don’t have to say anything to people about their opinions.”

Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 earlier this season but Pedri acknowledged that it will not be easy to repeat that performance again as the Merengues will be out for revenge.

“To repeat a performance like the one we had at the last fixture will be difficult. They’ll be looking for revenge, they’ve already said that, they’ll be looking to do damage on the counter and we’ll have to be vigilant and good on the ball,” he said.

“It’s always a special game. Scoring a goal for Barça in a Clasico is always special and I hope it can be repeated tomorrow,” Pedri added.

On reports that some Barcelona players threatened to boycott Spain NT call-ups if Olmo was not registered, the midfielder remarked:

“No, not really. It was said that we would not go with Spain because of Olmo. I was shocked when I saw it: we won’t say no to the national team. It’s a lie that I hope no one believed.”

Concluding, Pedri insisted that he does not look at numbers and individual statistics and is only focused on winning with the team.

“The numbers are pure statistics. I look more at team victories, looking at individual victories is the worst thing a player can do and I don’t look at them at all,” he stated.

Source: SPORT